Attitudes of doctors of medicine and dental medicine towards contacting patients via social networks

Background

As the use of social networking sites (SNSs) has greatly increased among health professionals, it is necessary to investigate their use of SNSs. The aim of this study was to identify the patterns of SNS use for contact with patients between medical doctors (MD) and doctors of dental medicine (DMD) in Croatia.

Methods

In collaboration with the Croatian Medical Chamber and the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on the use of SNSs and the attitudes of MDs and DMDs towards e-professionalism. Data were collected using online questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 753 responses were processed, 507 (67,3%) MDs and 246 (32,7%) DMDs. DMDs were significantly more likely to visit patients or their family members’ profiles on SNSs (60,6% vs 33,3%, P < 0.001). The main reason for visiting a patient’s or family member’s profile is social communication, which is significantly more common among DMDs (46,3% vs 29,0%, P < 0.002). DMDs are significantly more likely to send friend requests from private SNS profiles to patients or their family members (15,0% DMDs vs 3,4% MDs, P < 0.001). Patients are much more likely to send friendship and connection requests on SNS to DMDs (91,1% DMDs vs 62,7% MDs, P < 0.001) who are also significantly more likely to accept these requests (76,8% DMDs vs 41,5% MDs, P < 0.001). MDs and DMDs would find the presence of e-professionalism guidelines useful (72,2% MDS vs 78,0% DMDs, P = 0.103).

Conclusions

The results show that DMDs are more open to communicating with patients via SNSs. Results showed a difference between MDs and DMDs in both directions - in sending requests to patients or their family members and in positive responses to their requests for connection. The findings point to the need to develop guidelines for health professionals regarding e-professionalism.

Key messages

• There are differences between MDs and DMDs toward communicating with patients using SNSs, DMDs being more open to the communication with patients.

• There is a need to develop guidelines for health professionals on e-professionalism with emphasis regarding how to professionally communicate with patients on SNSs.

Differences in attitudes of medical and dental students about e-professionalism on social media

Background

Since the use of social media (SM) has increased among health professionals, it is necessary to explore students’ use of SM. Aim of this study was to recognize the patterns of SM use and difference in attitudes about e-professionalism on SM among medical and dental students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the School of Medicine University of Zagreb and the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb in academic year 2018/2019. Data were collected using online questionnaires. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 698 responses were received, 411 from second and fifth year medical students (RR 69%), and 287 from first to sixth year dental students (RR 68%). Facebook was the most commonly used SM platform (99%), followed by Instagram (81%) and YouTube (72%). Dental students significantly more accepted friend requests from patients (28% vs 6%, P < 0.001), sent friend requests to patients (5% vs 1%, P = 0.002) and significantly more plan to use SM in interaction with patients (39% vs 16%, P < 0.001). Attitudes regarding what should be considered as unprofessional online behaviour significantly differed regarding posting patient photographs (90% medical vs 61% dental students, P < 0.001), posting interactions with unidentifiable patients (42% medical vs 23% dental students, P < 0.001) and inappropriate language use (72% medical vs 83% dental students, P < 0.001). Students would find useful existence of guidelines about e-professionalism (84% medical vs 90% dental students, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Results showed that dental students are more open to communicating with patients using SM. Results showed difference in attitudes among medical and dental students what constitutes unprofessional behaviour on SM. Results indicate the need to develop guidelines for students regarding e-professionalism.

Key messages

The difference exists in attitudes among medical and dental students what constitutes unprofessional behaviour on SM. There is a need to develop guidelines for students regarding e-professionalism.